determined to put something back into the community that has supported him in his sporting endeavours.

David Bascome, most recently of the Denver Thunder but now back with the Harrisburg Heat of the National Professional Soccer League, has a full slate lined up for the summer months, where he will be operating sporting camps for interested youngsters.

At present plans are for two camps, taking in children between the ages of five and 16, to be held from June 28 until July 2 and July 5-9.

However, sports will not be the entire focus of these clinics, but rather the aim is to aid overall human development.

"I'm trying to run a sports programme, and not just include soccer,'' said Bascome, also a star of the Bermuda World Cup squad last year. "I want to build it around education.

"Sports is one way out and putting education with it can only help. We want to teach kids guidance.'' The `we' in the equation is none other than Bascome's longtime friend and fellow professional Shawn Goater, and together they have formed the Bascome, Goater Pro Soccer Clinic.

Last year saw the duo organise similar clinics for primary school students and they have decided to take things a step further, as they seek ways of aiding the youth.

"We're trying to organise this on a professional level,'' said Bascome.

"We're hiring six local coaches and are seeking someone to come and talk about the importance of education.

"We want work with the youth and put something back into the community.'' Bascome says he has sacrificed a lucrative chance to play in the United States this summer after being offered trials with outdoor team Colorado Foxes.

A players draft for the newly formed Continental Soccer League is set for tomorrow but the skillful forward is committed to his new task.

"I don't want to be so distant from Bermuda, playing all year round and then when I finish, not have them (kids) know me.

"I want to do it now and be within close reach.'' In the meantime Bascome -- the coach -- is offering one-on-one training classes to aspiring sportspersons. He also has taken to working with several young players on the verge of moving to the senior level, with the idea of giving them an opportunity to hone their skills as well as offering an outlet for them socially.

As far as Bascome's own career, he is back with the Heat following a loan period with the Thunder, even managing an appearance on The Sportschannel when Denver faced St. Louis back on February 12.

He does not expect the troubles that dogged him last year at Harrisburg, where he was the odd man out as the third green card player -- teams are only allowed two on the active roster -- to persist when he returns.

One of those players, veteran Richard Chinapoo is expected to announce his retirement from the game, which would leave the door open for the 24-year-old Bermudian to battle for a regular spot.

"It was very difficult at Denver,'' said Bascome. "Harrisburg is like home and it was like being far away from home.

"Then we played Harrisburg and I scored against them and really felt as if I had done something wrong.

"But it was an experience I could learn from and I feel I did the best I could (with Denver). The coach there was quite impressed.'' In between Bascome signed sponsorship deals with sporting goods companies Alix and Eurosport, which furnish him with boots, track suits and other equipment in return for his promoting of the company. The pair are also part-sponsors of the soccer clinics, with the major sponsor being the Bank of Bermuda.

Bascome's advice for aspiring youngsters is, "It's not easy. You have to have personal discipline.

"It was only through support from my family and girlfriend and my remaining positive that I was able to make out during the time that I was there without a green card, unable to play.''